Psychophysiological Aspects of Medical Students' Adaptation in the Process of Working on Simulators

Relevance. Simulation technologies are widely used in medical education and practical healthcare. Performance of tasks on simulators is close to real working conditions of medical specialists and associated with high workload and personal distress, which can lead to adaptation difficulties manifested in psychological, physiological and humoral indicators.

Intention. The research is devoted to the study of interrelations and influences of psychological and physiological components of adaptation process in a stress situation in medical students.

Methodology. The study sample consisted of 32 students of medical specialties. The stress level was measured during the process of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a simulator by recording electrocardiogram using a heart rate monitor chest strap Polar H10. Personality traits were assessed by the neurotic personality questionnaire KON-2006.

Results and Analysis. 5 factors explaining 67 % of the variance were extracted from the ECG by the method of exploratory factor analysis. A significant influence of a number of personality traits and preferred coping strategy on the process of physiologic adaptation to stress related to simulator work was revealed.

Conclusion. Scientifically-based psychological support of the educational process in the simulation center should take into account the preferred strategies used by students to cope with stress, and the possibility of their modification based on the personal traits of students.